Post by Cameronian on Jul 23, 2003 14:43:58 GMT -6
On July 23, 1745, the Du Teillay, bearing Charles Edward Stuart, landed at Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides
It may be just my mood I'm in, or perhaps maybe the date
The Bonnie Prince has landed and he's sealed the Highlands fate
Although none of them had known it, nor invited him 'come over'
He was sailing for the coastline and to Arisaig for cover
I have walked this wild coast landscape when dark clouds invade the sky
Seen the deepest rock strewn channels where these vessels then could ply
Goods, and means of trading with those islands seen near Rhum
So to the mainland shore of Scotland, to Arasiag, Charlie has come
Our ancestors, they were many, who gave welcome on that day
To a Prince who brought them nothing, but took everything away
There was no rush there to join him, nor did they hide away from sight
But with dread and doubt before them they spoke on throughout that night
You can stand now far remote from what then happened on that day,
Call them traitors, charge rebellion, and explain it all away
But their duty they saw clearly as allegiance to their King
Service before life itself, whatever it might bring.
Speak not careless of their memory, not with anger or with rages
For I've looked upon these faces and I claim them through the ages
They gave colonies to Britain, and lost them the American
Then built and fashioned nations with equality for every man
They gave us our traditions, all our courage to survive
To stand firm upon a principle and for excellence to strive
So unless you find an equal to our Highlander in deed
Then stand cowering in the corner, we'll provide the grunt you need.
It may be just my mood I'm in, or perhaps maybe the date
The Bonnie Prince has landed and he's sealed the Highlands fate
Although none of them had known it, nor invited him 'come over'
He was sailing for the coastline and to Arisaig for cover
I have walked this wild coast landscape when dark clouds invade the sky
Seen the deepest rock strewn channels where these vessels then could ply
Goods, and means of trading with those islands seen near Rhum
So to the mainland shore of Scotland, to Arasiag, Charlie has come
Our ancestors, they were many, who gave welcome on that day
To a Prince who brought them nothing, but took everything away
There was no rush there to join him, nor did they hide away from sight
But with dread and doubt before them they spoke on throughout that night
You can stand now far remote from what then happened on that day,
Call them traitors, charge rebellion, and explain it all away
But their duty they saw clearly as allegiance to their King
Service before life itself, whatever it might bring.
Speak not careless of their memory, not with anger or with rages
For I've looked upon these faces and I claim them through the ages
They gave colonies to Britain, and lost them the American
Then built and fashioned nations with equality for every man
They gave us our traditions, all our courage to survive
To stand firm upon a principle and for excellence to strive
So unless you find an equal to our Highlander in deed
Then stand cowering in the corner, we'll provide the grunt you need.